Three months after my fiancé disappeared, I saw him at the airport, his arm around a girl.

He laughed smugly, "Thanks to my buddies, coming up with that plan. Otherwise, how would I get to spend every day with you? Won't go back until you're pregnant. Let that old ball-and-chain keep searching."

I didn't rush over to confront him; I just watched them in complete silence.

Back home, I wrapped my arms around his brother's neck and whispered bitterly, "Harry is gone, but your family needs an heir."

The moment those words left my mouth, the thrill of revenge roared through me like wildfire. It tasted sweeter than I ever imagined.

Emilio Nolan blushed up to his ears. His entire body went rigid, and his pupils dilated.

"Harry, he..." he started, but I cut him off with a kiss.

The taste of alcohol mixed with the faint cedarwood scent that always clung to him, and I let it pull me under. I didn't want to hear whatever he was saying. I only wanted this moment of surrender to drown the pain that was threatening to shatter me.

That night was utter madness. I slept so deeply that I didn't stir until frantic knocking dragged me out of sleep the next morning.

My fiancé, Harry Nolan, stood outside with his new girlfriend. His face was twisted with rage as he shoved at the door that refused to open.

Panic flickered through me as I glanced at the empty space beside me. The sheets were already cold. At some point, Emilio had already slipped away.

I figured that men were all the same. They left the second they got what they wanted.

I pulled on a high-necked robe to cover the marks scattered across my neck and chest, went downstairs, and opened the door.

"Julia Hardin, who told you to change the lock?" Harry barked.

During the three months he had been missing, I had lived in constant fear, too terrified to sleep alone at night. It was his younger brother, Emilio, who had changed the lock so I could feel safe.

Now Harry was suddenly back. He shoved me aside with open contempt and dragged the girl into the house.

"Why are all my cards declined? Why is every account frozen?" he demanded.

That was the second thing he had spoken to me since he arrived. Anger and accusations were all he had for me. Not once did his eyes meet mine.

The girl beside him, Violet Pierce, looked at me with unrestrained mockery.

Harry and I had been together for seven years. Finally, he couldn't be bothered to pretend anymore.

I folded my arms, lifted my chin, and stared straight at him. "You disappeared for three months without a word, and you show up now with no explanation? Who is this woman, and why are you bringing her into the home we were supposed to share?"

I didn't spare his feelings. Yet I couldn't ignore the gleaming emerald bracelet on Violet's wrist. It was the heirloom Harry's mother had left specifically for the future lady of the Nolan family.

Harry had once told me, "Only the woman who becomes my wife deserves to wear this bracelet."

Yet he had randomly given it to one of his lovers. Clearly, it wasn't as precious as he had claimed.

Harry lounged on the sofa, pulled the girl into his lap, and smiled at me with deliberate provocation. "This is Violet Pierce—my new girlfriend. Julia, seven years is a long time. If you're not tired of it, I am. Being with you is boring, and the thought of marrying you feels like a prison sentence."

"Tired? Boring?" The words froze me in place.

Seven years ago, when I was adored by everyone, he had chased me desperately. He'd get anything for me, even if it meant he had to fly across the country.

The spoiled heir, who had never cooked a day in his life, would get up at dawn every morning to make me soup and breakfast.

He had treated me so well that my heart had no room for anyone else. And now he threw it all away with a single sentence.

"Girl," Violet sneered at me, "you're old. Past your prime. What man would want that? I'm young, pretty, and fertile. If Harry wants kids, I can give him as many as he wants. You'd be a geriatric pregnancy now. The child probably wouldn't even be healthy or smart."

So, that was what Harry had cared about all along.

But hadn't he said he would give up everything in the world for me? Hadn't he once whispered he wished the world would end so only the two of us would remain?

Men's promises truly were the most ridiculous jokes in the world.

Violet leaned in and kissed Harry's cheek. "You deserve so much better."

I had heard that exact line from countless women over the years. In the past, it would have sent me into a rage, shouting and arguing with Harry.

Now my heart was already numb. I could almost laugh at how ridiculous it all was.

I sat down on the sofa opposite them, slowly removed the huge diamond ring from my finger, and slid it across the coffee table.

"If you're tired of me, then let's end it properly. This isn't a breakup. It's the cancellation of our engagement," I said calmly.

When I leaned forward, my robe slipped, revealing the marks on my neck. Harry's smug expression vanished in an instant.

"What's that on your neck? Did you cheat on me?" he asked sharply.

The accusation sounded utterly laughable coming from him. I touched a mark on my collarbone, then tilted my head. "Well, a new lover does tend to make the old one feel completely irrelevant."

Harry scowled, sitting up straight. His lips pressed together, and his eyes brewed a storm. "Who was it?"

I gave him the fakest smile I could manage. "Why would that concern you? You're done with me, and I'm done with you. You have your new woman. I have someone who wants me. Isn't this exactly what you wanted?"

He studied my face, his hands clenched so tightly that his knuckles turned white. Then he laughed, "Nice try. You're just using reverse psychology to make me realize I'd be losing something valuable, right? Fine. Let me prove how little I care."

He arched an eyebrow, an unreadable smirk playing on his lips. Then he reached out his hand, grabbed Violet by the back of her neck, and pulled her into a passionate kiss, the wet sounds filling the room.

I laughed, but tears rolled down my cheeks. I wasn't sad, just feeling regretful to waste seven years of my life on a scumbag like that.

Just then, Emilio's voice cut through the air. "Harry?"

The pair pulled away from each other. Harry cringed, but the real awkwardness came from the group of people behind Emilio.

They were dressed in black, carrying a coffin. At the very back, two people were holding Harry's portrait.

I realized then why Emilio had left so early that morning. Because I had declared Harry dead, he had brought people from the funeral home to help set everything up.

The scene was completely surreal, but it felt perfect.

"We thought you had met with an accident," Emilio said evenly. "After discussing it with Father, we decided you deserved a grand send-off."

I was surprised that he said "we".

Harry turned livid, but he could direct his anger at the funeral staff. "What are you staring at? I'm not dead, so get lost!"

Emilio remained composed, signaling his assistant to hand me a document. "My father said that Harry's disappearance must have been a huge blow to you. So, this villa and all the assets previously frozen under Harry's name are now transferred to you unconditionally. If you have no objections, please sign here."

"What the hell?" Harry shouted, shooting to his feet. "I'm alive, standing right here."

He rushed over to Emilio, displaying the authority of the elder brother. Emilio was unfazed, his face serene with an inscrutable smile. "This is Father's order. This agreement was originally for Julia to sign. And since you're back, take a look at this file."

He had his assistant bring another document. I looked over, realizing it was a contract to annul the engagement.

"Sign this, and you two are done," he added.

"Don't even think about it!" Harry bellowed, tearing the annulment agreement into shreds. "Only I get to leave you, Julia. You do not get to humiliate me like this!"

"Me? Humiliating you?" I laughed out loud. "You brought your mistress into my house to insult me. How many women have you cheated with over the years? If it's not 100, it's at least 50. Don't you want freedom? Here it is. If you don't want to lose the villa, then buy it from me. Or is the future head of the Nolan Group too broke for that?"

Harry lost his tongue, his face flushed red with shame. At the same time, Violet's smirk vanished, replaced by panic.

She grabbed his arm, urging him, "Sign it! Then we'll get married. That bracelet you gave me is a promise. You can't back out now."

Glancing at the bracelet, Emilio raised a brow and stayed silent.

But Harry shook Violet's hand off, pointing at me. "I know exactly what game you're playing. Ten days, Julia. I'll give you ten days to come crawling back. When you do, I'll still take you as my wife."

I wiped the cold tears from my cheeks. "You really think I'm still the pathetic woman who came running every time you snapped your fingers?"

There were always women circling him. Because of that, I had fought with him countless times, threatening to leave him for good.

He'd just stand there with a poker face, telling people not to stop me. "Let her go. Let's see how long she lasts without me."

And sure enough, after only a few hours, I'd crumble and go back to him, swallowing my pride.

He'd then brag to his friends, "See? Clingier than a stray dog."

But this time, I refused to be his pet again. Turning to Emilio, I asked, "This house is mine now, right?"

"Yes," he replied.

"Perfect." I clapped my hands. "Bring everything inside."

The funeral staff exchanged uncertain looks, and Emilio said quietly, "Do as she says."

I led them through every room of the house. "Put flowers in every corner and change the portrait to one of Harry and me together. Today, I am holding a funeral for this toxic, seven-year, betrayal-filled relationship. If anyone dares try to resurrect it, may they suffer for the rest of their lives."

Harry stared at me, stunned by my boldness. Beside him, Violet yelped, "Ouch! Harry, you're hurting me!"

He released her hand that was turning purple from his grip. His chest heaved with anger. "You'll regret this, Julia! One day, you'll come crawling back and beg me not to leave!"

He spun around, storming toward the door. Passing Emilio, he paused and muttered, "Find out who she slept with. I want to know what kind of man makes her act this insane."

Emilio lowered his gaze. "Alright."

...

The next few days without Harry's constant harassment felt like heaven. I slept for three straight days to make up for the nights I had spent terrified while he was missing.

But my peace was short-lived. On the fourth day, the shameless man showed up again, holding a bouquet of roses so enormous it nearly swallowed him whole, along with bags of luxury gifts.

"Honey, you've been angry long enough," he said smoothly. "You've coaxed me back hundreds of times. Let me be the one to coax you this time, okay?"